Sports cap

ABSTRACT

A sports cap in which a visor has an intermediate support layer bonded with a bottom lining layer and sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer, and a positioning block with a center insertion hole selectively fastened to one of recesses on the top side of the intermediate support layer for securing a decorative item by means of fitting a stem of the decorative item into the center insertion hole and magnetic attraction, and jointing the top layer and the bottom layer to the intermediate support layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a CIP application of Ser. No. 11/690,858, filed on Mar. 26, 2009, entitled “Sports cap”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the sports caps and more particularly to the design of the visor of a sports cap that secure the decorative item on the visor by fitting the stem of the decorative item into the center insertion hole of the positioning block and magnetic attraction, and joint the top layer and the bottom layer of the visor to the intermediate support layer.

2. Description of the Related Art

To modern people, enjoying the sunlight and the stunning beauty of the lush green fields is one of the best ways to release stress. Therefore, outdoor sports games are widely participated. In recent years, with the prosperity of the society and the fast growing of the industries and business, the sports population has significantly increased. Whether male or female, old or young, people enjoy sports and encourage their friends and relatives to join.

When playing an outdoor sports game in the wild open field, the body is exposed to the radiation of the sunlight. Therefore, it is necessary to wear a cap, protecting the head and the eyes from the radiation of the sunlight. Under the protection of the cap, the user can enjoy the sports game more comfortably.

However, a regular sports cap is simply a covering with a visor for protecting the user's head and eyes from the radiation of the sunlight. Modern people's requirements for products are critical. In addition to functions, people do care about quality, beauty, novelty and unique characteristic. Therefore, the user always attaches decorative items or other decorations to the visor. But in the conventional attaching method, the user has to forcedly penetrate the protruding portion of the decorative item through the visor. To flourish in the market, a sports cap manufacturer needs to create unique and innovative sports caps for allowing positioning conveniently and adding features to attract consumers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. Therefore one object of the present invention is to provide a sports cap that allows installation of decorative items and a detachable golf counter in the visor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the sports cap comprises a crown, a visor extending outward from the bottom edge of the crown and at least one ferrous decorative item. The visor comprises an intermediate support layer that supports the visor in shape and has multiple recesses on the top side, a top layer covering the intermediate support layer, a magnetic positioning block fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer, the magnetic positioning block with a center insertion hole for receiving a stem of a decorative item, a bottom layer covering the bottom side of the intermediate support layer opposite to the top layer, and a lining layer sandwiched between the intermediate support layer and the bottom layer. The at least one ferrous decorative item has a head supported above the top layer and at least one stem extended from the head. By means of fitting the stem into the center insertion hole of the positioning block and magnetic attraction, the decorative item is secured on the top layer, and the top layer and the bottom layer of the visor are jointed to the intermediate support layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hold down member is fastened to one recess of the intermediate support layer to hold the positioning block in place. The hold down member has a center through hole axially aligned with the center insertion hole of the positioning block, a group of first mounting legs for securing the positioning block, and a group of second mounting legs for fastening to the associated recess of the intermediate support layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a golf counter can be attached to the decorative item at the visor and secured thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a sports cap in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sports cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a sports cap in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the hold down member shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 3, showing a golf counter used with the sports cap.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a sports cap in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sports cap 1 is shown comprising a crown 11 for covering the user's head and a visor 12 extending outward from a part of the crown 11.

The visor 12 is comprised of a top layer 121, an intermediate support layer 122 and a bottom layer 123. The intermediate support layer 122 is sandwiched between the top layer 121 and the bottom layer 123 to support the visor 12 in shape, having multiple recesses 1222 on the top side and spaced from one another at a distance, a positioning hole 1223 in each recess 122, and a positioning block 14 fitted into each recess 1222. The positioning block 14 has a center insertion hole 141 axially aligned with the positioning hole 1223 in the associated recess 1222, and is adapted to attract a decorative item 2 by means of magnetic attraction, i.e., the decorative item 2 and the positioning block 14 are made out of a ferrous or magnetic material. The decorative item 2 comprises a head 21 and a stem 22 extended from the bottom side of the head 21.

However, the shape and the size of the stem 22 of the decorative item 2 in the present invention is merely used for demonstrating the embodiment, and any modification shall be construed to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the number of the stem 22 can be two, and the stem 22 can be replaced by a needle, a rivet or other protruded object. The center insertion hole 141 of the positioning block 14 can also be correspondingly designed as a tube or a collar.

The head 21 can be made having a circular or rectangular profile, or the geographical shape of a country, or the shape of a character.

The stem 22 according to this embodiment is a round rod. Further, the stem 22 is pierced through the top layer 121 and then fitted into the center insertion hole 141 of the positioning block 14 and the positioning hole 1223 in the associated recess 1222 to secure the decorative item 2 to the visor 12, keeping the head 21 supported on the top side of the top layer 121 (see FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 are an exploded view of a sports cap and an enlarged view of a hold down member in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a hold down member 15 is mounted in one recess 1222 of the intermediate support layer 122 to hold down the positioning block 14. The hold down member 15 has a center through hole 151 for the passing of the stem 22 of the decorative item 2, a group of first mounting legs 152 adapted to secure the positioning block 14, and a group of second mounting legs 153 for fastening to the recess 1222.

Referring to FIG. 5, the decorative item 2 can be made out of a magnetic material so that a golf counter 3 can be attached to the head 21 of the decorative item 2 and secured thereto by means of magnetic attraction.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a sports cap in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the visor 12 is comprised of a top layer 121, an intermediate support layer 122, a lining layer 1221 and a bottom layer 123. The intermediate support layer 122 is sandwiched between the top layer 121 and the bottom layer 123 to support the visor 12 in shape, having multiple recesses 1222 on the top side and a positioning block 14 fitted into each recess 1222. The positioning block 14 has a center insertion hole 141. The lining layer 1221 is bonded to the bottom side of the intermediate support layer 122 and sandwiched between the intermediate support layer 122 and the bottom layer 123, having a group of positioning holes 1223 axially aligned with the center insertion hole 141 of the positioning block 14 in the associating recess 1222.

Referring to FIG. 7, the visor 12 of the sport cap 1 includes a plurality of decorative items 2 arranged as a pattern in any style. By means of fitting the stein 22 into the center through hole 141 and magnetic attraction, the decorative item 2 can be secured on the visor 12 easily with a better appearance.

In general, the invention provides a sports cap that has the following advantages:

1. By means of fitting the stem 22 extending downwards from the ferrous decorative item 2 into the center insertion hole 141 of the magnetic positioning block 14 and magnetic attraction, the decorative item 2 can be substantially secured and positioned, and the top layer 121 and the bottom layer 123 of the visor 12 correspondingly joint to the intermediate support layer 122.

2. The visor 12 of the sports cap 1 allows for installation of decorative items 2 securely. The decorative items 2 decorate the visor 12 of the sports cap 1. Further, a golf counter 3 can be secured to one decorative item 2 at the visor 12 of the sports cap 1 by means of magnetic attraction, adding an additional function to the sports cap 1.

3. By means of a series of designs on the visor 12, the invention provides different models of sports caps 1 to satisfy different needs from different users.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A sports cap comprising a crown; a visor extended outward from the bottom edge of the crown, the visor comprising an intermediate support layer that maintains the visor in shape, the intermediate support layer having a top side, a bottom side, multiple recesses on the top side, a top layer covering the top side of the intermediate support layer, and a bottom layer covering the bottom side of the intermediate support layer opposite to the top layer; a positioning block made out of a magnetic material and fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer, the positioning block having a center insertion hole; a lining layer sandwiched between the intermediate support layer and the bottom layer; and at least one decorative item made out of a ferrous material and fastened to the visor, the at least one decorative item having a head supported above the top layer and at least one stem extending from the head and inserted through the top layer into the center insertion hole of the positioning block in one recess of the intermediate support layer.
 2. The sports cap as claimed in claim 1, further consists of a hold down member fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer to hold down the positioning block, the hold down member having a center through hole in axial alignment with the center insertion hole of the positioning block, a group of first mounting legs that secure the positioning block, and a group of second mounting legs fastened to the associating recess of the intermediate support layer.
 3. The sports cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head of each of the at least one decorative item is used for securing a golf counter by means of magnetic attraction.
 4. The sports cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate support layer has a positioning hole in each of the recesses for the location of the stem of the decorative item.
 5. A sport cap comprising: a crown; a visor extended outward from the bottom edge of the crown, the visor comprising in intermediate support layer that maintains the visor in shape, the intermediate support layer having a top side, a bottom side, multiple recesses on the top side, a top layer covering the top side of the intermediate support layer, and a bottom layer covering the bottom side of the intermediate support layer opposite to the top layer; a positioning block made out of ferrous material and fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer, the positioning block having a center insertion hole; a lining layer sandwiched between the intermediate support layer and the bottom layer; and at least one decorative item made out of magnetic material and fastened to the visor, the at least one decorative item having a head supported above the top layer and at least one stem extending from the head and inserted through the top layer into the center insertion hole of the positioning block in one recess of the intermediate support layer.
 6. The sport cap as claimed in claim 5, further consists of a hold down member fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer to hold down the positioning block, the hold down member having a center through hole in axial alignment with the center insertion hole of the positioning block, a group of first mounting legs that secure the positioning block, and a group of second mounting legs fastened to the associating recess of the intermediate support layer.
 7. The sport cap as claimed in claim 5, wherein the head of each of the at least one decorative item is used for securing a golf counter by means of magnetic attraction.
 8. The sport cap as claimed in claim 5, wherein the intermediate support layer has a positioning hole in each of the recess for the location of the stem of the decorative item.
 9. A sport cap comprising: a crown; a visor extended outward from the bottom edge of the crown, the visor comprising an intermediate support layer that maintains the visor in shape, the intermediate support layer having a top side, a bottom side, multiple recesses on the top side, a top layer covering the top side of the intermediate support layer, and a bottom layer covering the bottom side of the intermediate support layer opposite to the top layer; a positioning block made out of magnetic material and fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer, the positioning block having a center insertion hole; a lining layer sandwiched between the intermediate support layer and the bottom layer; and at least one decorative item made out of magnetic material and fastened to the visor, the decorative item having a head supported above the top layer and at least one stem extending from the head and inserted through the top layer into the center insertion hole of the positioning block in one recess of the intermediate support layer.
 10. The sport cap as claimed in claim 9, further consists of a hold down member fitted into one recess of the intermediate support layer to hold down the positioning block, the hold down member having a center through hole in axial alignment with the center insertion hole of the positioning block, a group of first mounting legs that secure the positioning block, and a group of second mounting legs fastened to the associating recess of the intermediate support layer.
 11. The sport cap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the head of each of the at least one decorative item is used for securing a golf counter by means of magnetic attraction.
 12. The sport cap as claimed in claim 9, wherein the intermediate support layer has a positioning hole in each of the recess for the location of the stem of the decorative item. 